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Watertown Priest Charged With Theft in a Business Setting and Theft by Fraud

WATERTOWN - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that on September 28, 2010, attorneys for the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), acting as special prosecutors for Jefferson County, filed a summons and criminal complaint in Jefferson County Circuit Court against Thomas Marr (age 64), now of Madison, Wisconsin, alleging a count of theft in a business setting and a count of theft by fraud.

The maximum possible penalty for theft is a term of imprisonment not to exceed 10 years or a $10,000 fine, or both, as to each count.

Thomas Marr's initial appearance is scheduled for October 18, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. in the Jefferson County Circuit Court, Jefferson, Wisconsin.

According to the criminal complaint, Thomas Marr served as a priest for a Watertown area parish. Between 2007-2009, the complaint alleges that Marr took money from various parish accounts. In addition, Marr also allegedly solicited funds from members of the parish, family members, other clergy, and friends, representing that Marr intended to use the funds to assist parish members in financial distress. Marr promised that he (Marr) would repay these people quickly. During this period, Marr provided the funds he obtained from the parish and others to assist a second person in recovering money that the second person claimed was owed him from an overseas business transaction.

The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Watertown Police Department and the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation. Assistant Attorney General Donald V. Latorraca represents the state.

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